Metallic shelf for show-cases.



H. J. HUNT. METALLIC SHELF FOR SHOW CASES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, 1913.

1,100,306, Patented June16, 1914.

HARMON J. HUNT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

METALLIC SHELF FOR SHOW-CASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 23, 1913.

Patented June 16, 1914. Serial No. 775,188.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARMON J. HUNT, citizen of the United States,'residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Metallic Shelves for Show- Cases, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to metallic shelves for show cases and the like, shown in the accom anying drawings and more particularly set orth in the following specification and claims.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a metallic shelf formed of sheet metal having an upturned portion provided with a return bend forming an upstanding ledge stiffening the structure and presenting to view a relatively broad edge similar to that of a wooden shelf.

A further object is to provide the back of the shelf with a depending portion having a return bend,the raw edge of which is brought adjacent to the underface of the shelf in order to conceal it and to protect the person handling the shelf from accidental injury through contact with its sharp and rough edge.

Another feature of the invention consists in securing wooden strips to the ends on the underside in the channel portion of the shelf which serve to stiffen the shelf and to provide a suitable bearing surface to rest upon the supporting brackets of the case,the wooden strips serving to deaden the noise occasioned through insertion or removal of the shelf or through the vibration of the floor on which the show case rests.

Other advantages and improvements will hereafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the shelf. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the shelf. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the shelf. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of another modification.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings :A is a shelf formed of sheet metal having at its outer edge an upwardly bent portion forming a ledge A and a return bend A extending below the body of the shelf to give it the appearance of thickness usual in a wooden shelf. In Fig. 1, this return bend portion is triangular in cross-section though it may be given any other desired form, as for in stance, that indicated in the modification shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. At the rear of the shelf the metal is turned downwardly as at a, having a return bend a extending 'upwardly,the raw edge being preferably brought into abutting contact with the underface of the shelf in order to protect the hands from injury.

B are wooden cleats secured to the ends of the shelf between the channel walls formed by the downwardly bent metal. The cleats serve to stiffen the shelf and provide an elastic element between the metallic supporting device of the case (not shown) and the metallic portion of the shelf, absorbing the noise due to adjustment of the shelf or that caused by floor vibration when the show case is located where this is liable to occur.

WVhile the shelf is especially designed for use in connection with metallic show cases, it may be employed in ordinary wood frame cases, the shelves being grained to correspond with the general finish of the case.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the forward edge is provided with a return bend A the raw edge of which lies adjacent to the underface of the shelf, thereby protect ing the person handling the case from injury through accidental contact with the rough and unfinished edge.

The upstanding edge guards the articles placed on the shelf from being jarred off while the return bend portion gives it an appearance of thickness similar to a wooden shelf and insures it against sagging or bending under the weight of the articles that may be placed upon it. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. An article of the class described, a shelf formed of sheet metal having an upwardly turned edge on one side forming a ledge above the upper plane of the shelf, and with a return bend extending below the plane of the shelf, a stiflening flange on the opposite side of the shelf formed by bending downwardly the edge of the shelf, and wooden 10 drop ledge having a return bend extending j upwardly toward the shelf, and cleats secured to the ends of the shelf in the channel formed by the downwardly extending edges.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

HARMON J. HUNT.

Witnesses:

GRACE E. VVYNKQOP, SAMUEL E. THOMAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents; each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. O. 

